Public Employee Press

DC 37, AFSCME back Obama for President

Barak Obama is a proven fighter on the issues
our members care about most.
—Gerald W. McEntee, AFSCME President

On JUNE 19 the Executive Board of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees unanimously endorsed Barack Obama for president of the United States. And on June 24, the DC 37 Delegates Council voted unanimously to back the Illinois senator.

“Barack Obama has mobilized a historic movement to reclaim the greatness of America. With his leadership, our nation will rise up to rebuild the middle class at home and restore America’s reputation in the world,” said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee.

AFSCME, DC 37’s parent union, has 1.4 million members and will mobilize its corps of volunteers and invest $50 million to help Sen. Obama win the presidency in November and take back the White House for America’s working families.

Taking steps to quickly unite the nation’s labor movement behind his candidacy after a grueling primary contest with Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Obama met with union leaders at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C. On June 26, the AFL-CIO endorsed Sen. Obama as well.

In the coming months, AFSCME will mobilize its army of 40,000 activists to knock on doors, make phone calls and talk with their co-workers and neighbors to produce an unprecedented turnout in the 2008 election, McEntee said.

“Barack Obama is a proven fighter on the ­issues our members care about most, such as ending privatization, providing state and local fiscal relief, fully funding and supporting public services and the workers who provide them, and guaranteeing that everyone in our country has access to quality, affordable health care,” McEntee said.

“For the sake of our jobs, our families and our communities, let’s unite around Barack Obama for president,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.